Louella Irene Keith

"Billie" Louella Irene Douglas Keith, age 90, entered into rest on June 24th, at Highlands Health Care in Bella Vista. Billie was born Nov. 1, 1921, in Centerton, Ark., to Paul Oliver Douglas and Ella Matt Callis Douglas. Other than short periods of time in Jacksonville, Fla., and San Deigo, Calif., she lived her entire life in Benton County. She married Hurshel L. Keith on Dec. 9, 1941, in Bentonville. They started farming on the home place south of Hiwasse where she was still living prior to her last illness. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; one sister, Eveline Curtis; her husband of 69 years, Hurshel Keith; and son-in-law, Gary Hutcheson. Billie is survived by five loving children, Larry (Regina) Keith of Hiwasse, Paula Hutcheson of Bentonville, Sally (Carl) Bennett of Rogers, Alan Keith of the home and Betsy (Mike) Meek of Bella Vista; seven grandchildren, Sherry Stalls of Bentonville, Christy Slocum of Bella Vista, Paul Keith of Gravette, Andy Keith of Smyrna, Ga., Ashley McKenzie of Broken Arrow, Okla., Brett Meek of Bella Vista and Brandon Meek of Bella Vista; four great-grandchildren, Raef Stalls, Katie and Eli Keith and Isabella McKenzie; two brothers, Gene Douglas of Centerton, Calvin Douglas of Bentonville; niece, Marie Garrison of Springdale; cousin, Dan Taylor of Powell, Mo.; and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins. Billie was well known for her delicious cooking, feeding her family home cooked meals three times a day, drop-in family and friends as needed, and farm workers every day at noon. She worked alongside Hurshel in the many chores that farm life required, then went inside to take care of a home for a family of seven and often one of their parents would be in the home also. She was a master gardener, both vegetable and flower. She truly loved all flowers and would bring home a sprig of any plant that she could get hold of. She cooked for neighbors if they needed and did bunny cakes every Easter for fun. One year she did 12 cakes and gave one to each child in her Sunday school class as a gift. She was a faithful member of the Hiwasse Church of Christ, where her last attendance date was Wednesday evening, June 13, 2012. Also, in her youth, she was an accomplished seamstress. After she and Hurshel first married, they spent some time in Jacksonville, Fla., and San Diego, Calif., where he was stationed while serving in the Navy during World War II. When they were younger they did what many Arkansans did and traveled to Washington state to pick apples in the fall for extra income. Funeral service will be held at the Hiwasse Church of Christ on Wednesday, June 27th, at 10 a.m. with Gene Roberts officiating. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 26th, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Callison-Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, west of Hiwasse. The family asks that is lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Southern Christian Childrens Home, P.O. Box 649, Morrilton, AR 72110.